As an airline employee, one of the perks you enjoy is non-rev travel benefits. However, it’s essential to understand airline load factors to make the most of your travel opportunities.
Passenger Load Factor (PLF) is a measure of the ratio of actual passengers to the available seats.
Technically, the PLF is calculated by dividing Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPK) by the Available Seat Kilometers (ASK). More generally, you could say that Load Factor is the percentage of seats filled by passengers.
The PLF is a crucial metric for capacity management in the airline industry. Not only do airlines strive to optimize their PLF, but they also base decisions regarding pricing, capacity, and flight frequency on this key performance indicator. For non-rev travelers, understanding the PLF is important because it directly impacts seat availability, helping them assess their chances of securing a seat on a particular flight and plan their trips accordingly.
It’s important to note that average airline load factors can vary depending on various factors such as region, airline, and time of year. This post will provide all the information you need about Load Factors to plan your next non-rev trip.
Airline Load Factors
Load Factors per region
Load factors vary significantly across regions. To save you time, we have gathered the average monthly load factors for each region.
North America
The U.S. domestic market often experiences high load factors due to its large population, vast geography, and well-developed air transportation infrastructure. Average load factors in North America range from around 77% to 88%, with the summer months and major holidays seeing the highest demand.
Average load factors in North America per month
The numbers provided below are rough estimates based on historical trends in the U.S. domestic airline industry and should not be taken as definitive numbers.
For more accurate and up-to-date information, consult official sources like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or individual airline reports.
For the actual seat availability for your non-rev flights, request the loads in the StaffTraveler app.
| Month | Average Load Factor |
|---|---|
| January | 77% |
| February | 75% |
| March | 80% |
| April | 82% |
| May | 83% |
| June | 86% |
| July | 88% |
| August | 87% |
| September | 81% |
| October | 79% |
| November | 77% |
| December | 79% |
Europe
Many European countries have a high demand for air travel, particularly during the summer months. Average load factors in Europe range from approximately 75% to 87%, with July and August being peak travel times.
Average load factors in Europe per month
The average load factors for Europe are only rough estimates based on historical trends and should not be taken as definitive numbers.
To find accurate and up-to-date information on airline load factors in Europe, it’s best to consult official sources, such as Eurocontrol, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), or individual airline annual reports.
For actual seat availability per flight, post your request in the StaffTraveler app.
| Month | Average Load Factor |
|---|---|
| January | 75% |
| February | 73% |
| March | 78% |
| April | 80% |
| May | 81% |
| June | 84% |
| July | 87% |
| August | 86% |
| September | 80% |
| October | 78% |
| November | 76% |
| December | 78% |
Asia-Pacific
The rapid growth of low-cost carriers and increasing demand for air travel in countries like India, China, and Southeast Asia has led to high load factors in this region. Average load factors in the Asia-Pacific region range from around 73% to 86%, with considerable variation depending on the country and time of year.
Average load factors in Asia-Pacific per month
The average load factors for the Asia-Pacific region are rough estimates based on historical trends and should not be taken as definitive numbers. For more accurate and up-to-date information, consult official sources:
- China: Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC)
- Japan: Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB)
- India: Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
- South Korea: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport (MOLIT)
- Indonesia: Directorate General of Civil Aviation of Indonesia (DGCA)
- Singapore: Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)
- Malaysia: Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM)
- Philippines: Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)
- Thailand: Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT)
- Vietnam: Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV)
For actual load factors per flight, post your request in the StaffTraveler app.
| Month | Average Load Factor |
|---|---|
| January | 78% |
| February | 76% |
| March | 80% |
| April | 82% |
| May | 83% |
| June | 85% |
| July | 87% |
| August | 86% |
| September | 81% |
| October | 79% |
| November | 77% |
| December | 79% |
Middle East
The strategic location of the Middle East allows airlines in the region to capture high demand for long-haul flights between Europe, Asia, and Africa, leading to high load factors. Average load factors in the Middle East range from around 76% to 88%, with the highest demand typically during the winter months.
Average load factors in the Middle East per month
These average load factors for the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other Middle Eastern countries are rough estimates based on historical trends. They should not be taken as definitive numbers. For more information, consult the official authorities:
- United Arab Emirates (UAE): General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA)
- Saudi Arabia: General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA)
- Qatar: Civil Aviation Authority of Qatar (CAA Qatar)
- Bahrain: Civil Aviation Affairs of Bahrain (CAA Bahrain)
- Kuwait: Directorate General of Civil Aviation of Kuwait (DGCA Kuwait)
- Oman: Public Authority for Civil Aviation of Oman (PACA)
For actual load factors per flight, post your request in the StaffTraveler app.
| Month | Average Load Factor |
|---|---|
| January | 76% |
| February | 74% |
| March | 78% |
| April | 80% |
| May | 81% |
| June | 83% |
| July | 85% |
| August | 84% |
| September | 79% |
| October | 77% |
| November | 75% |
| December | 77% |
Oceania
In Oceania, load factors can also vary depending on the time of year, airline, and route. Generally, the region experiences high demand for air travel due to its vast geography and the popularity of tourist destinations like Australia, New Zealand, and the numerous Pacific islands.
Peak travel times in Oceania usually coincide with the Southern Hemisphere summer months (December to February), school holidays, and major events.
Average load factors in Oceania per month
The average load factors for Australia, New Zealand, and the rest of the Oceania region are rough estimates based on historical trends and should not be taken as definitive numbers.
For more accurate and up-to-date information, consult official sources:
- Australia: Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)
- New Zealand: Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAA NZ)
- Fiji: Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF)
- Papua New Guinea: Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Papua New Guinea (CASAPNG)
For actual loads per flight, post your request in the StaffTraveler app.
| Month | Average Load Factor |
|---|---|
| January | 82% |
| February | 80% |
| March | 78% |
| April | 76% |
| May | 74% |
| June | 75% |
| July | 78% |
| August | 77% |
| September | 75% |
| October | 76% |
| November | 78% |
| December | 81% |
Airline Load Factors
Factors Affecting Load Factors
There are several factors affecting airline load factors. Here are the most important.
Seasonality
Load factors tend to vary based on the time of year, with peak travel seasons typically resulting in higher load factors. When planing your non-rev travel itinerary, it’s a good strategy to schedule your trip outside of public holidays to increase your chances of securing an open seat.
Route network and competition
The route network and competitive landscape play a crucial role in determining load factors. On routes with high competition and/or low demand, airlines may struggle to maintain high load factors. These are the routes that you want to embrace as a non-rev traveler.
Airline Load Factors
What are the best months to travel non-rev?
For more information, check the StaffTraveler availability pages.
The best months to travel non-rev are typically during off-peak seasons when airline load factors are lower. This increases the chances of finding available seats on flights. While the specific off-peak months can vary depending on the region and route, here are some general recommendations for non-rev travel.
- January (after New Year’s Day): Once the holiday season is over, demand for air travel usually decreases, leading to lower load factors and more availability for non-rev travelers.
- February (excluding Valentine’s Day and any major events): February is generally a slow month for air travel, except for popular romantic destinations around Valentine’s Day or specific events like the Super Bowl in the United States.
- Early March: Early March can be a good time for non-rev travel, particularly before spring break season starts in many countries.
- Late April and early May: This period falls between spring break and the beginning of the summer vacation season, so air travel demand may be lower.
- September (after Labor Day): Demand for air travel tends to decrease after the summer vacation season and the Labor Day holiday in the United States, making September a good month for non-rev travel.
- October and November (excluding Thanksgiving): These months are usually less busy for air travel, with the exception of the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States, when demand increases significantly.
Keep in mind that these are general guidelines, and the best months for non-rev travel can vary depending on your specific destination and route. It is always a good idea to monitor airline load factors, avoid popular travel periods like holidays and major events, and be flexible with your travel dates to increase your chances of successfully traveling non-rev.
Airline Load Factors
How to get the actual loads for a specific flight?
When planning your upcoming non-rev journey, it’s helpful to know the actual flight loads for the flights you’re considering. Here’s how.
To obtain accurate and current seat availability information for the flights you’re considering for your non-rev travel, simply submit a load request in the StaffTraveler app. Our app is specifically designed for airline employees. It provides accurate, up-to-date data on available seats, helping you make informed decisions and streamline your non-rev travel planning process.
What is an airline's Load Factor?
Passenger Load Factor is a measure of the ratio of actual passengers to the available seats. In other words: the percentage of seats filled by passengers.
How to get a flight's load factor?
To obtain accurate and current seat availability information for the flights you're considering for your non-rev travel, simply submit a load request in the StaffTraveler app. Our app is specifically designed for airline employees. It provides accurate, up-to-date data on available seats, helping you make informed decisions and streamline your non-rev travel planning process.
What affects airline Load Factors?
Airline load factors are influenced by a variety of factors, which can be broadly categorized into demand-side and supply-side factors. Some of the key factors affecting airline load factors include:
- Seasonality
- Economic conditions
- Competition
- Route network and connectivity
- Airline reputation and service quality
- Pricing strategies and fare classes
- External events
- Government regulations and policies
What are the best months to travel non-rev?
The best months to travel non-rev are typically during off-peak seasons when airline load factors are lower. This increases the chances of finding available seats on flights. While the specific off-peak months can vary depending on the region and route, some general recommendations for non-rev travel include:
- January (after New Year's Day)
- February (excluding Valentine's Day and any major events)
- Early March
- Late April and early May
- September (after Labor Day)
- October and November (excluding Thanksgiving)
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